| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Allmusic |   [1] |
| Christgau's Record Guide | C+[2] |
Beautiful Noise is the tenth album by Neil Diamond and his third with Columbia Records, released in 1976. "Dry Your Eyes" was performed with The Band at their farewell show and is featured in Martin Scorsese's The Last Waltz.
Overview
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Beautiful Noise marked a radical departure in production, style, arrangements and compositional diversity for Diamond. It was billed at the time of its release as something of a "comeback" album for the artist, and did mark a new and highly productive phase of his recording and touring career.
The album produced three singles: "If You Know What I Mean", "Don't Think... Feel", and the title track, "Beautiful Noise". "If You Know What I Mean" was a No. 1 hit on Billboard's Easy Listening chart and reached No. 11 on the US Hit Parade.[3] "Don't Think... Feel" reached No. 43 in the U.S. charts, while "Beautiful Noise" reached No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart,[4] No. 7 in South Africa[5] and No. 6 in the then West Germany.[6] It also made it to No. 6 in Switzerland, No. 8 in Austria, No. 3 in the Netherlands and No. 6 in Flemish Belgium.[7]
The album was produced by Robbie Robertson, known for his work with The Band. Garth Hudson of The Band also contributed organ to several songs.
Track listing
All tracks composed by Neil Diamond, except "Dry Your Eyes" by Diamond and Robbie Robertson.
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Beautiful Noise" | 3:24 |
| 2. | "Stargazer" | 2:41 |
| 3. | "Lady Oh" | 3:51 |
| 4. | "Don't Think... Feel" | 3:26 |
| 5. | "Surviving the Life" | 3:42 |
| 6. | "If You Know What I Mean" | 3:30 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Street Life" | 3:00 |
| 2. | "Home Is a Wounded Heart" | 2:40 |
| 3. | "Jungletime" | 3:10 |
| 4. | "Signs" | 4:17 |
| 5. | "Dry Your Eyes" | 3:23 |
Personnel
- Neil Diamond – vocals, acoustic guitar, rhythm guitar, dobro
- Richard Bennett, Robbie Robertson, Jesse Ed Davis – guitar
- Bob Boucher - bass guitar, ARP
- Larry Knechtel – piano, Fender Rhodes
- Alan Lindgren - piano, synthesizer
- Dennis St. John – drums, percussion
- David Paich – Fender Rhodes, piano
- Garth Hudson – Hammond organ, Lowrey organ
- Jim Keltner, Russ Kunkel – drums
- Jim Gordon – drums, congas, harmony vocals
- James Newton Howard – ARP, synthesizer
- Joe Lala – percussion, tambourine, congas
- Dr. John – Hammond organ
- Bob James – piano, arrangement, Fender Rhodes
- Tommy Morgan – harmonica
- Bob Findley – trumpet
- Jerome Richardson – flute, clarinet
- Linda Press – backing vocals
- Nick DeCaro – arrangements, accordion
Charts
Weekly charts
| Chart (1976) | Position |
|---|---|
| Australian Kent Music Report Albums Chart | 1 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (1976) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[8] | 5 |
Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Germany (BVMI)[9] | Gold | 250,000^ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ)[10] | 5× Gold | 37,500^ |
| United Kingdom (BPI)[11] | Gold | 100,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[12] | Platinum | 1,000,000^ |
| ^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
References
- ^ "Beautiful Noise - Neil Diamond - Songs, Reviews, Credits - AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (1981). "Consumer Guide '70s: D". Christgau's Record Guide: Rock Albums of the Seventies. Ticknor & Fields. ISBN 089919026X. Retrieved February 24, 2019 – via robertchristgau.com.
- ^ Jackson, Laura (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. p. 143. ISBN 1550227076. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ Jackson, Laura (2005). Neil Diamond: His Life, His Music, His Passion. ECW Press. p. 145. ISBN 1550227076. Retrieved February 13, 2014.
- ^ Currin, Brian. "South African Rock Lists Website - SA Charts 1965 - 1989 Songs (A-B)". Rock.co.za. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ "INFINITY CHARTS: German Top 20". Ki.informatik.uni-wuerzburg.de. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ Hung, Steffen. "Neil Diamond - Beautiful Noise - swisscharts.com". Swisscharts.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 428. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
- ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (Neil Diamond; 'Beautiful Noise')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
- ^ "Neil Diamond - 5x gold in New Zealand" (PDF). Cash box. August 21, 1976. p. 48. Retrieved December 2, 2019 – via American Radio History.
- ^ "British album certifications – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 7, 2019. Select albums in the Format field. Select Gold in the Certification field. Type Beautiful Noise in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
- ^ "American album certifications – Neil Diamond – Beautiful Noise". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved March 7, 2019. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Album, then click SEARCH.